Exactly one year after winning the state title in the Class 2A 200 meters, Jaquellus Martin was recognized for the feat with a sign unveiled in his honor Saturday morning.
In winning the 2021 state title, Martin became the first Trigg County High School athlete in 16 years to win an individual state championship.
Martin’s winning time of 22.06 seconds also established a school record, edging the old mark of 22.15 seconds set by Greg Bridges in 1988.
Martin joins Charles Alexander, Steve Neel, Al Baker, and Greg Bridges as Trigg athletes to win a state title in the 200 meters. However, Martin is the first Trigg athlete to win a state title in Class 2A.
Jeremy Jones won state titles in the high jump and long jump in 2005. The last runner to win a state title was Shalmon Radford in the 400-meter run in 1995. Trigg’s last state title came in 2008 from the 800-meter relay team.
WATCH JAQUELLUS MARTIN WIN THE 2021 STATE TITLE IN THE 200 METERS
The sign was the brainchild of Courtney Brame, a track and field parent and teacher. Mayor Todd King, 8th District State Representative Walker Thomas, and Trigg County Superintendent of Schools Bill Thorpe assisted in making the sign a reality. King presented Martin with a ceremonial key to the city.
The sign, located on the east side of the school campus on Main Street, will stay up until the state decides to move it. Thorpe said the sign would be placed in a prominent place on campus if the State Transportation Cabinet decides to remove it.
Martin talked about the honor in this YSE interview.
